Beaudein Waaka
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| Full name | Beaudein Roger Tuhaunui Waaka | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Born | 27 January 1994 Whakatāne, New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 180 cm (5 ft 11 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 91 kg (201 lb; 14 st 5 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Gisborne Boys' High School | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Notable relative | Stacey Waaka (sister) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Beaudein Waaka (born 27 January 1994) is a New Zealand rugby union player who currently plays for Manawatu in New Zealand's domestic National Provincial Championship[1] and for Skyactivs Hiroshima in the Japan Rugby League One competition.[2] He previously played for Taranaki, New England Free Jacks, Waikato and Kobelco Kobe Steelers.
In 2012, Waaka played for Poverty Bay in the Heartland Championship. Then he represented the Taranaki Bulls for five seasons in the Mitre 10 Cup competition.
In 2019, he signed with Manly RUFC. Like his sister, Stacey Waaka, he has represented New Zealand in rugby sevens.[3]
In 2020, Waaka signed with the New England Free Jacks. He made two appearances during the shorted 2020 season. The following year during the 2021 season Waaka appeared in 15 matches for the free jacks scoring 103 points. He would then finish the year with Waikato, and helped them win the Bunnings NPC Premiership Division championship.
He then returned to the free jacks for the 2022 season. Where he had a career year, finishing third in goal kicks and second in point scorers, with 151. This led to him being named the MLR player of the year for the 2022 season.[4] Being the first player in Free Jacks history to receive the honor. He also won the MLR championship shield with the Free Jacks in 2023. Throughout his tenure in New England Waaka became a fan favorite among free jacks fans.[5]
After the 2023 season, Waaka left the Free Jacks and signed with Skyactivs Hiroshima to play in Japan. In his first year with the team, he appeared in 12 matches for the club, scoring 72 points. However, the following year, he was injured, only appearing in the final game of the 2024-25 season.[6]